General Information: Channa argus(northern snakehead)
{pronunciation} are-guss
Common name:
Amur snakehead. (C.argus warpachowskii)
Meristic:
D: 48-53 A: 30-38 C: 14 V: present Ratio (Body/ head length) : 2.9-3.2*
(* Although as the fish ages its relative proportions change )
Size:
The largest size recorded in literature is 800 mm and a fish of 8 years old was recorded at 760 mm. (3)
Lateral line scale count:
60-75
DeTaxonomic name:Channa argus (Cantor, 1842) Synonyms:Channa argus argus , Ophicephalus argus , Ophicephalus nigricans , Ophicephalus pekinensis Common names:amur snakehead (English), eastern snakehead (English), ga mul chi (Korean), kamuruchi (Japanese), northern snakehead (English), ocellated snakehead (English), raigyo (Japanese), zmeegolov (Russian) Organism type: fish Not much is known of the impacts of the northern snakehead (Channa argus), but as a voracious top-level predator with no natural predators, its introduction could interrupt and devastate the food web of freshwater systems. However it can live outside the water for up to 4 days, biologists Speculate that C. argus is not well adapted to land travel. The largest threat of dispersal is through human release. (1)
Description C. argus has a torpedo-shaped body that tapers towards the tail. Young snakeheads are golden brown to pale gray in color, turning dark brown and developing black splotches as they age. Other distinguishing characteristics are long dorsal and anal fins, smaller heads, and larger mouth. Adults can grow up to 1.2 meters long and weigh up to 15 pounds.
The upper surface has a brownish-green background color and numerous (9-13) black blotches. These blotches have a lighter centre that is sometimes edged in white, above the lateral line. There are bars under the dorsal base (dependant on age). The mid-section is a yellowish-grey while the reddish-white abdomen has streaks above the anal (dependant on age). The upper parts of the head have three paired bars and on the sides can be seen two large stripes; one starting at the snout, running through the eye to the gill cover, while the lower one curves downwards and ends at the edge of the gill cover. The fins are yellow, the dorsal, anal and caudal are spotted black. (2)
Detailed Description:
The upper surface has a brownish-green background color and numerous (9-13) black blotches. These blotches have a lighter centre that is sometimes edged in white, above the lateral line. There are bars under the dorsal base (dependant on age). The mid-section is a yellowish-grey while the reddish-white abdomen has streaks above the anal (dependant on age). The upper parts of the head have three paired bars and on the sides can be seen two large stripes; one starting at the snout, running through the eye to the gill cover, while the lower one curves downwards and ends at the edge of the gill cover. The fins are yellow, the dorsal, anal and caudal are spotted black.
Lifecycle stages C. argus matures at 2 years when it is approximately 30cm in length and spawns in June or July in its native range.
Reproduction Parents guard the young until they are approximately 18mm in length. C. argus spawns 1 to 5 times a year and lays 1,300 to 15,000 eggs per spawn.
Nutrition Young C. argus eat zooplankton. At a length of about 18mm, they begin to eat fish larvae and small crustaceans. Adults prefer fish but will eat frogs, crustaceans, and even small reptiles, birds, and mammals. They remain close to shore, typically under aquatic vegetation, and are most active at dusk and dawn, feeding very near the shore.
With no to very few natural predators the snakehead is free to multiply unchecked. They are also incredibly territorially and are more aggressive than native species of fish leading them to be apex predators themselves. (2)
Habitat and Distribution:
Occurs in: lakes, water courses, wetlands
Habitat description C. argus inhabits freshwater with a temperature range of 0 to 30°C. It has been found in shallow ponds, swamps, and slow moving streams with vegetated or murky substrate. Although C. argus is not well adapted to land travel, it can survive out of water for up to four days by breathing oxygen.
In the original description, C.argus was reported from Chusan, China and it’s the dominant snakehead in China. This Snakehead can be found in rivers, ponds and streams across China, from Yunnan to Peking. C.argus kimurai is said to live in the River Kialing in the Szechuan province, also in China; where it is said to be found commonly in the rice fields as well as mountain streams. C.argus can be found to the North-East of China and Korea. From further north, into Russia, in the region of the River Amur, lives the hardier C.argus warpachowskii which has been successfully introduced to many countries, including the former Czechoslovakia. (1)
Impacts:
C. argus could cause devastation to freshwater ecosystems of the United States because of its predacious nature, lack of natural predators, high fertility, and adaptability to a wide range of environmental conditions. Where introduced, it could bring disease and harm to native organisms. These changes could also hurt local economies dependent on fishing.
As of this moment in time there is no known hybridization between snakehead species with other species of fish.
Snakeheads do not, despite folklore and television influence, attack or even bite humans out of anger, hostility, fear, or a thirst for blood. The only reported bites are from anglers releasing the fish from their hooks.
Economically however, the effort to control snakeheads has been an expensive and time consuming endeavor. (4)
Bowfin and Snakeheads: Distinguishing Features
Snakeheads (family Channidae) from Africa and Asia are occasionally imported illegally into Texas. They closely resemble native bowfin (Family Amiidae) but are unrelated. This page depicts one species of snakehead. About 27 others have been identified, some with different color patterns. Pelvic fins may be lacking in several snakehead species. Snakeheads are environmentally harmful.
History:
Geographical location:
In the original description, C.argus was reported from Chusan, China and this has been confirmed that it is the dominant snakehead in China. This Snakehead can be found in rivers, streams and ponds across China, from Yunnan to Peking. C.argus kimurai is said to inhabit the River Kialing in the Szechuan province, also in China; where it is said to be common in the rice fields as well as mountain streams. C.argus can be found to the North-East of China and Korea. From further north, into Russia, in the region of the River Amur, hails the hardier C.argus warpachowskii which has been successfully introduced to many countries, including the former Czechoslovakia. (5)
Introduction pathways to new locations Live food trade: Snakeheads are imported for food, but it seems that surplus fish are sometimes released into the environment for a variety of reasons. Local dispersal methods Natural dispersal (local): The snakehead may move in stream and river networks, reproducing and spreading to adjacent watersheds. Other (local): Direct intentional release by members of the public of these fish into freshwater locations appears to be the most probable introduction occurrence.
Distribution: Asia: China and western and southern Korea and the USA adverse ecological impact after introduction. (3)
Control Measures:
Preventative measures : C. argus (and all snakeheads) were banned from importation and interstate transport in the USA in October 2002 Chemical : In Crofton pond, Maryland, USA, herbicides (Diquat Dibromide and Glyphosate) were used to lower oxygen levels, then a pesticide (Rotenone) was used to poison the fish. Eradication would be much more complicated in rivers, streams, or larger lakes. The effort to control snakeheads has been an expensive and time consuming endeavor. (2)
Awesome Video Time!!!
Works Cited:
Barlowe, Glen. “Northern Snakehead.” Magda El-Sherbini Encyclopedia. 3rd ed. 2004. Burgoes, Karen H. A new threat Snakeheads. New York: Crabtree Publications, 2006. Dolin, Eric Jay. Snakehead Fish Out of Water. New York: New House , 2006. Greene, Mitch. “Frankenfish.” National Geographic 11 Mar. 2002: 64-79. Macey, Hector L. “Hidden Danger.” The Outdoorsman 21 Sept. 2005: 45-52.
General Information: Channa argus(northern snakehead)
{pronunciation} are-gussCommon name:
Amur snakehead. (C.argus warpachowskii)Meristic:
D: 48-53 A: 30-38 C: 14 V: present Ratio (Body/ head length) : 2.9-3.2*(* Although as the fish ages its relative proportions change )
Size:
The largest size recorded in literature is 800 mm and a fish of 8 years old was recorded at 760 mm. (3)Lateral line scale count:
60-75DeTaxonomic name: Channa argus (Cantor, 1842)
Synonyms: Channa argus argus , Ophicephalus argus , Ophicephalus nigricans , Ophicephalus pekinensis
Common names: amur snakehead (English), eastern snakehead (English), ga mul chi (Korean), kamuruchi (Japanese), northern snakehead (English), ocellated snakehead (English), raigyo (Japanese), zmeegolov (Russian)
Organism type: fish
Not much is known of the impacts of the northern snakehead (Channa argus), but as a voracious top-level predator with no natural predators, its introduction could interrupt and devastate the food web of freshwater systems. However it can live outside the water for up to 4 days, biologists Speculate that C. argus is not well adapted to land travel. The largest threat of dispersal is through human release. (1)
Description
C. argus has a torpedo-shaped body that tapers towards the tail. Young snakeheads are golden brown to pale gray in color, turning dark brown and developing black splotches as they age. Other distinguishing characteristics are long dorsal and anal fins, smaller heads, and larger mouth. Adults can grow up to 1.2 meters long and weigh up to 15 pounds.
The upper surface has a brownish-green background color and numerous (9-13) black blotches. These blotches have a lighter centre that is sometimes edged in white, above the lateral line. There are bars under the dorsal base (dependant on age). The mid-section is a yellowish-grey while the reddish-white abdomen has streaks above the anal (dependant on age). The upper parts of the head have three paired bars and on the sides can be seen two large stripes; one starting at the snout, running through the eye to the gill cover, while the lower one curves downwards and ends at the edge of the gill cover. The fins are yellow, the dorsal, anal and caudal are spotted black. (2)
Detailed Description:
The upper surface has a brownish-green background color and numerous (9-13) black blotches. These blotches have a lighter centre that is sometimes edged in white, above the lateral line. There are bars under the dorsal base (dependant on age). The mid-section is a yellowish-grey while the reddish-white abdomen has streaks above the anal (dependant on age). The upper parts of the head have three paired bars and on the sides can be seen two large stripes; one starting at the snout, running through the eye to the gill cover, while the lower one curves downwards and ends at the edge of the gill cover. The fins are yellow, the dorsal, anal and caudal are spotted black.
Lifecycle stages C. argus matures at 2 years when it is approximately 30cm in length and spawns in June or July in its native range.
Reproduction Parents guard the young until they are approximately 18mm in length. C. argus spawns 1 to 5 times a year and lays 1,300 to 15,000 eggs per spawn.
Nutrition Young C. argus eat zooplankton. At a length of about 18mm, they begin to eat fish larvae and small crustaceans. Adults prefer fish but will eat frogs, crustaceans, and even small reptiles, birds, and mammals. They remain close to shore, typically under aquatic vegetation, and are most active at dusk and dawn, feeding very near the shore.
With no to very few natural predators the snakehead is free to multiply unchecked. They are also incredibly territorially and are more aggressive than native species of fish leading them to be apex predators themselves. (2)
Habitat and Distribution:
Occurs in: lakes, water courses, wetlands
Habitat description C. argus inhabits freshwater with a temperature range of 0 to 30°C. It has been found in shallow ponds, swamps, and slow moving streams with vegetated or murky substrate. Although C. argus is not well adapted to land travel, it can survive out of water for up to four days by breathing oxygen.
In the original description, C.argus was reported from Chusan, China and it’s the dominant snakehead in China. This Snakehead can be found in rivers, ponds and streams across China, from Yunnan to Peking. C.argus kimurai is said to live in the River Kialing in the Szechuan province, also in China; where it is said to be found commonly in the rice fields as well as mountain streams. C.argus can be found to the North-East of China and Korea. From further north, into Russia, in the region of the River Amur, lives the hardier C.argus warpachowskii which has been successfully introduced to many countries, including the former Czechoslovakia. (1)
Impacts:
C. argus could cause devastation to freshwater ecosystems of the United States because of its predacious nature, lack of natural predators, high fertility, and adaptability to a wide range of environmental conditions. Where introduced, it could bring disease and harm to native organisms. These changes could also hurt local economies dependent on fishing.
As of this moment in time there is no known hybridization between snakehead species with other species of fish.
Snakeheads do not, despite folklore and television influence, attack or even bite humans out of anger, hostility, fear, or a thirst for blood. The only reported bites are from anglers releasing the fish from their hooks.
Economically however, the effort to control snakeheads has been an expensive and time consuming endeavor. (4)
Bowfin and Snakeheads: Distinguishing Features
Snakeheads (family Channidae) from Africa and Asia are occasionally imported illegally into Texas. They closely resemble native bowfin (Family Amiidae) but are unrelated. This page depicts one species of snakehead. About 27 others have been identified, some with different color patterns. Pelvic fins may be lacking in several snakehead species. Snakeheads are environmentally harmful.
History:
Geographical location:
In the original description, C.argus was reported from Chusan, China and this has been confirmed that it is the dominant snakehead in China. This Snakehead can be found in rivers, streams and ponds across China, from Yunnan to Peking. C.argus kimurai is said to inhabit the River Kialing in the Szechuan province, also in China; where it is said to be common in the rice fields as well as mountain streams. C.argus can be found to the North-East of China and Korea. From further north, into Russia, in the region of the River Amur, hails the hardier C.argus warpachowskii which has been successfully introduced to many countries, including the former Czechoslovakia. (5)
Introduction pathways to new locations Live food trade: Snakeheads are imported for food, but it seems that surplus fish are sometimes released into the environment for a variety of reasons. Local dispersal methods Natural dispersal (local): The snakehead may move in stream and river networks, reproducing and spreading to adjacent watersheds. Other (local): Direct intentional release by members of the public of these fish into freshwater locations appears to be the most probable introduction occurrence.
Distribution: Asia: China and western and southern Korea and the USA adverse ecological impact after introduction. (3)
Control Measures:
Preventative measures : C. argus (and all snakeheads) were banned from importation and interstate transport in the USA in October 2002Chemical : In Crofton pond, Maryland, USA, herbicides (Diquat Dibromide and Glyphosate) were used to lower oxygen levels, then a pesticide (Rotenone) was used to poison the fish. Eradication would be much more complicated in rivers, streams, or larger lakes.
The effort to control snakeheads has been an expensive and time consuming endeavor. (2)
Awesome Video Time!!!
Works Cited:
Barlowe, Glen. “Northern Snakehead.” Magda El-Sherbini Encyclopedia. 3rd ed. 2004.Burgoes, Karen H. A new threat Snakeheads. New York: Crabtree Publications, 2006.
Dolin, Eric Jay. Snakehead Fish Out of Water. New York: New House , 2006.
Greene, Mitch. “Frankenfish.” National Geographic 11 Mar. 2002: 64-79.
Macey, Hector L. “Hidden Danger.” The Outdoorsman 21 Sept. 2005: 45-52.